Wednesday, March 22, 2006

I just got back to the United States after a few memorable days deep within the Land of Promise, Mexico. I've written before about how China is the future, but don't overloook our neighbor to the south. This land is booming, and I'm more impressed than ever with what I've seen the past couple of days. I have spent some time with some extremely talented, hard-working, innovative, successful people and realize that not much can stop their success - except perhaps their own government (I'm especially worried about the upcoming presidential elections, but that's another story).

The escalation of educational and leadership opportunities in Mexico is great news for the Church, and I think we will see an increasingly large number of highly capable administrators and inspiring leaders drawn from the growing ranks of faithful members in Mexico.

I love the people here and so much about this country (and the food is so amazing - don't ever equate Taco Bell with the rich diversity of sophisticated Mexican cuisine!). I have thought many times that I would enjoy living here, at least for a while, but in reality it would be difficult. For one thing, I think it would be very challenging to raise a family here. I particular, I am pained by the rising immorality of this land, at least the immorality that is glorified on the media and on a huge fraction of the billboards. It is hard to go more than a couple hundred yards along the major highways around Mexico City without encountering images that I find highly offensive. Almost laughable incongruity is encountered as sexually-charged images are used to sell so things like cell phone services and shoes (but really, I was trying not to notice). Sadly, the US is not that far behind, but my little town of Appleton, Wisconsin is still pretty tame and a great place to raise a family. Drop by sometime and see why.

For you returned missionaries who served in Mexico recently, I'd like to here your perceptions on the growth of the Church here, the quality of life for families, and the moral challenges in this land. If any of you are from Mexico, I'd love to hear your views on this land. Likewise if any of you moved from the US to work in Mexico.

Oh, and I managed to get a few interesting photos that I'll share later, one or two of possible interest to Book of Mormon studies.

If with a wave of my hand I could remove one thing from Mexico, it would be alcohol. During my mission I encountered countless families that were being destroyed by alcoholic family members, usually the father. It broke my heart to see mothers who would work all day to support the family, while their husbands would blow most of the paycheck on booze and come home to pass out. Of course, the same thing exists in the U.S., but it seemed almost culturally ingrained in some places where I served.

Jeff, having visited Mexico City and lived in Los Angeles county, I'd have to say L.A. is more porn-saturated than Mexico by far. As for billboards, L.A. has plenty of women in near-nothing straddling pagers, cell phones and just about everything else.

I think Jeff that your comments are more in tune with the bigger cities. I would say, just look at New York, LA or San Francisco. Recently, there was an ad that was censored that showed a couple nearly having sex. In smaller towns, Mexico is still a great place to raise children. Although there are some problems, as R. J. Walker points out, I believe that tight knit relation within the family unit (and extended as well) is very much ingrained in the Mexican culture.

Just as an anecdote, Taco Bell opened some stores in Mexico, but they were closed before six months. And you wouldn't believe the variety of food from all different regions. Meat, pork, fish, fruits and herbs, there is something for every palate in Mexico.